Kavanagh and Charlesworth to Face International Test

Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth has unveiled the squad that will compete at the London International Invitational Hockey Tournament on May 2-6, 100 days out from the Olympics.

AIS-WAIS duo Fergus Kavanagh and Jonathan Charlesworth have been selected for the series, whilst fellow scholarship holder Graeme Begbie was named in European Tour squad for matches with Belgium and Germany.

A core group of players, including five time world player of the year, Jamie Dwyer, will travel to Europe but will only play select matches to ensure their work load is managed.

“This tour is another opportunity to explore our form and our opponents,” Charlesworth said.

“It continues to be difficult to select teams as all players in the squad remain in contention to play at the Olympics.”

This tour is a chance for players to further press for Olympic selection and Luke Doerner, Liam De Young and Jason Wilson, who are returning from injury, will be keen to impress.

The International Invitational Hockey Tournament will be played at Olympic Park and will give the athletes their first look at the Olympic blue pitch where life long dreams could be realised.

“It’s an important opportunity, hopefully it will be similar to the pitch we’ve been training on but we won’t know until we get there,” Charlesworth said.

-Hockey Australia